The field workers will draw their supplies from the depots, and deliver them to the identified units. Each delivery will be recorded by digital photo, recording date and time. The field workers will be paid a nominal commission per bag delivered, provided the digital photo recordings and clinical reports are submitted. Each unit will be required to submit on a monthly basis, a clinical report on a percentage of their children in the identified units, to monitor the effect of the feeding and weight gain. This information will be forwarded to the company recorder who will verify the deliveries.

The reasons we have decided to run with this system is:

To eliminate large administration costs

The product is delivered directly to the consumer, not left somewhere for it to be collected if transport is available

The product reaches the consumer at less than half the retail cost, enabling us to feed more children

We are currrently feeding in excess of 13,800 children and our aim is to secure continuous funding through donations and sale of various products made at the self-help centres. Over the next 3 months it is our intention to distribute 200 tons of food and we would require $500 000.00 and increase this to 400 tons within 6 months. Initially, this would enable us to feed 260 000 children, increasing to 520 000 children.

Based on the 2003 figure, this would only represent less than 10% of the children in need, but as the HIV / AIDS impact on our country grows, so will the number of starving children. SA statistics reported and increase of 57% in deaths from 1997 to 2002. Over 5 million people in SA are infected with the HIV virus, and nationally, more than 600 people die from the disease, every day.

The feeding project will not stop there. As more funds become available, so we will increase our coverage throughout South Africa and Southern Africa.

HIV and AIDS, and Nutrition

This World Health Organization document reviews current evidence on the relationship between nutrition and HIV and AIDS, as well as on the role of nutrition in HIV transmission, disease progression, morbidity, and disease management